Handheld medication dosage calculator

ABSTRACT

A handheld medication dosage calculator ( 100 ) and method for comparing an inputted, ordered medication dosage with a known medication dosage range in a database including an input device for inputting a desired drug name, indicating whether the drug is for a child or an adult, an amount of the drugs that are ordered, the body weight or body surface of the patient, an amount of drug available in standard packaging, and the available volume associated with the available drug and a computing mechanism for determining the dosage of the drug to be delivered. The handheld medication dosage calculator ( 100 ) provides warnings when the inputted amount of drug exceeds the dose range limits or is incorrect. The handheld medication dosage calculator ( 100 ) converts an inputted drug unit of measure into a desired unit of measure. The handheld medication dosage calculator ( 100 ) lists generic drug names, trademarked product names, drug classifications and cautionary drug warning information.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of prior Provisional Application Nos.60/315,145 and 60/335,684, filed 27 Aug. 2001 and 31 Oct. 2001,respectively.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to medical computers and handheld medicalcalculators and, more specifically, an apparatus and method forcalculating medication dosages and for comparing an ordered, inputteddosage with a database having a recommended known medication dosagerange and for providing cautions and warnings for the administration ofa particular medication.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TART

The incidence of medication errors is a widely known problem in themedical industry. Most medications that are administered in theinstitutional setting are carefully checked for: 1) a correct physicianorder according to known drug dosage ranges; 2) a correct drug dosagecalculation of the amount ordered per the amount available in standardpackaging; and 3) cautions and warnings pertaining to the administrationfor that drug. These checks commonly occur in institutional pharmaciesand are the standard of care in the industry. However, there are timeswhen this system of checking medications in the pharmacy beforedispensing the medication to the nursing unit is not feasible. Forinstance, in the neonatal intensive care unit, the nurse must calculatethe dosages for many drugs that are to be administered at the time ofadministration. In the surgical and cardiac intensive care setting, drugdosages are changed frequently and are often calculated by,the nurse orphysician at the patient's bedside. In the case of any medicalemergency, such as cardio-respiratory arrest or shock, emergencymedications are obtained from the emergency stock on hand in the patientcare unit and calculated at the time of administration by the caregiver.In all cases, nurses and other health care givers are required toperform these calculations based on formulas committed to memory.Although the calculations are usually performed on a standard handheldmathematical calculator, there remains room for a high margin of error.First, there is a proper sequence of equations that are essential toobtaining the correct answer. Second, the equations often requireconversion of various dimensional units (e.g., micrograms to milligrams,pounds to kilograms and so forth). These conversions must be calculatedand then recorded or recalled for use in a later sequence of theequation. Third, knowledge of correct dosage ranges, cautions andwarnings must be known to the medical professional for that person tosafely administer the medication. The likelihood of all three of thesefactors being reliably drawn from the memory of the medical professionalis understandably reduced under stressful situations such as a medicalemergency or a sudden change in patient status.

A device that attempts to address a limited portion of the statedproblems includes that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,412, whichissued to Simons on Dec. 26, 2000. This handheld device prompts the userto complete drug dosage and infusion calculations. This device includesa memory containing drug dosage information that is accessed by theuser. This device does not link the input calculations with a drugdatabase and does not provide a warning or a caution notification whenan incorrect input has been entered. Although the device does completethe required calculation for the user, it does not provide the user withan on-screen, intuitive format for entering input data. The user of thedevice must rely on memory in order to recall the proper sequence ofkeypad compression to complete the various calculations. As a result,there is very little improvement over a standard calculator. The user'sreliance on his or her memory is not significantly reduced and there isno system to alert the user of potential errors in the prescribed doseor alert the user regarding potentially harmful drug, cautions andwarnings if the user neglects to access the drug information database.

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of theproblems set forth above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of this present invention, an improved handheld medicationdosage calculator is disclosed. This handheld medication dosagecalculator includes an input device for inputting a desired drug name,inputting an indication as to whether the drug is for a child or anadult, inputting an amount of the drug that is ordered, inputting thebody weight or body surface area of the patient, inputting an amount ofdrug that is available in standard packaging, and inputting theavailable volume associated with the amount of the available drug and acomputing mechanism for determining the appropriate dosage of the drugthat is to be delivered to the patient.

In another aspect of this present invention, a method for calculatingmedication dosages is disclosed. This method includes inputting adesired drug name, inputting an indication as to whether the drug is fora child or an adult, inputting an amount of the drug that is ordered,inputting the body weight or body surface area of the patient, inputtingan amount of drug that is available in standard packaging and inputtingthe available volume associated with the amount of the available drugwith an input device and determining the appropriate dosage of the drugthat is to be delivered to the patient with a computing mechanism.

Yet another aspect of this present invention is to provide cautionarywarnings associated with a selected drug.

Still another aspect of this present invention is to provide the genericname for a selected drug.

Another aspect of this present invention is to provide the trademarkedproduct name for a selected drug.

Yet another aspect of this present invention is to provide theclassification for a selected drug.

In another aspect of this present invention warnings are provided whenthe inputted amount of the drug exceeds the dosage range limits or isincorrect.

Still another aspect of this present invention is to convert inputteddrug measurement units into desired units of measurement.

Yet another aspect of this present invention is to provide an intuitiveinput for the information that greatly reduces the need for the user torely on his or her memory in performing the sequence of keypadoperations on the handheld medication dosage calculator.

These are merely some of the innumerable illustrative aspects of thispresent invention and should not be deemed an all-inclusive listing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may bemade to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C illustrate a schematic process diagram of tiehandheld medication dosage calculator associated with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary graphical input and output screendisplay of a handheld medication dosage calculator associated with thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary drop-down screen displays connected withthe exemplary screen display shown in FIG. 2 associated with thehandheld medication dosage calculator of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a sample keyboard and display screenassociated with the handheld medication dosage calculator of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a basic functional schematic forthe electronic components associated with the handheld medication dosagecalculator of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic process diagram of the special functionsmenu screen of the handheld medication dosage calculator; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative schematic process diagram of thehandheld medication dosage calculator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. Forexample, the invention is not limited in scope to the particular type ofindustry application depicted in the figures, a particular type ofsoftware language, or to particular conventions regarding softwaredesignations. The calculator or computing mechanism referred to in thispatent application can be performed with a single integrated circuit orcan be the result of the functioning of an entire series of complexmicroprocessors. The preferred method of communication to download thelatest drug-related information associated with this invention isthrough a global computer network, e.g., Internet; however, there arenumerous mechanisms for electronic communication that might suffice forthis present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C,which illustrate a flowchart of the handheld medication dosagecalculator of the present invention and is denoted generally byreference numeral 10. A programmer skilled in the art could utilize thisflowchart to program any of a wide variety of electroniccontrollers/computers in a wide variety of programming languages. In thedescription of the flowchart in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the functionalexplanation marked with numerals in angle brackets, <nnn>, will refer tothe flowchart blocks bearing that number.

The first step in the process <12>is to activate or turn-on the handheldmedication dosage calculator that is generally indicated by numeral 100in FIG. 4. The on/off pushbutton 202, as shown in FIG. 4, performs thisfunction. This reveals a display screen 204, which displays thegraphical user input and output medication screen that is generallyindicated by numeral 101 in FIG. 2. A graphical user interface providesan intuitive input for the information that greatly reduces the need forthe user to rely on his or her memory in performing the sequence ofkeypad operations on the handheld medication dosage calculator.

The display screen 204 is preferably a liquid crystal display; however,any electronic display can be employed for the purposes of this patentapplication such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), an electroluminiscentdisplay or a plasma display.

As shown in FIG. 2, there is an output for the name of the desired drug,e.g., “drug name” label 102, that is adjacent to a drop-down entry inputfor the desired drug name 104 that is preferably highlighted andincludes a flashing cursor. Pressing one of the alphabetic keys 206 onthe handheld medication dosage calculator 100, as shown on FIG. 4, willinitiate the drop-down entry input for the desired drug name 104 toreveal a selection of available drugs, as indicated by a drop-downselection 150 in FIG. 3.

The second step in the process <14>, as shown in FIG. 1A, is todetermine if the desired drug is available. This involves scrollingamong the drop-down selection 150, shown in FIG. 3, by utilizing eitherthe left scroll arrow key 208 or the right scroll arrow key 210 on thehandheld medication dosage calculator 100, as shown in FIG. 4.

If the desired drug is not available, the “clear entry” key 212 can bepushed, as shown in FIG. 4 and the second step in the process <14>can berepeated so that the user can again search for a desired drug. This“clear entry” procedure is indicated by the third step in the process<16>, as shown in FIG. 1A, which loops back to the second step in theprocess for inputting a desired drug <14>. If the desired drug is not inthe system, then a blank can be inputted into the system through theenter key 214, as shown on FIG. 4, as indicated by the fourth step inthe process <21>, as shown in FIG. 1A, which bypasses the next processstep <17>and proceeds to process step <18>, as shown on FIG. 1A. In thisspecific instance, the tenth process step <26>of providing warnings ifthe drug dosage exceeds a recommend range is also bypassed (not shown).

The fifth step in the process <17>, as shown in FIG. 1A, is to selectthe desired drug and view associated output information. If the desireddrug is located on the drop-down selection 150, as shown in FIG. 3,which is then preferably highlighted, the user can then press the“enter” key 214 for the handheld medication dosage calculator 100 shownin FIG. 4. There is an output for the generic name of the desired drug,e.g., “generic name” label 118, that is adjacent to an output for thegeneric name of the drug 120. There is also an output for thetrademarked product name of the desired drug, e.g., “product name” label122, that is adjacent to an output for the trademarked product name forthe drug 124. Moreover, there is an output for the appropriateclassification associated with the desired drug, e.g., “drugclassification” label 126, that is adjacent to an output for theclassification associated with the desired drug 128. These three labels118, 122 and 126 and associated outputs 120, 124 and 128 appear in anoutput screen that is generally indicated by numeral 130 in FIGS. 2 and3. There is also cautionary material associated with the selected drugthat is displayed in output screen 171. This information is provided bythe database memory 252 and provided to the computing mechanism 250 fordisplay on the display screen 204, as shown in FIG. 5, which is a blockdiagram schematic that indicates the general electronic components andassociated relationship for the handheld medication dosage calculator100 that is generally indicated by numeral 300.

The sixth step in the process <18>, as shown in FIG. 1A, is to determineif the selected drug will be administered to a child or an adult. Thereis a output regarding whether the drug is to be administered to a childor an adult, e.g., adult/pediatric label 106, that is adjacent to anadult/pediatric drop-down entry input 108 regarding selection of whetherit is a child or an adult, which is preferably highlighted and includesa flashing cursor, as shown in FIG. 2, where a drop-down adult/pediatricselection 152 appears as shown in FIG. 3. The user can scroll betweenthe two possible selections in the adult/pediatric drop-down selection152, shown in FIG. 3, by utilizing either the left scroll arrow key 208or the right scroll arrow key 210 on the handheld medication dosagecalculator 100, as shown in FIG. 4. When the desired patient type, i.e.,pediatric or adult, is located on the adult/pediatric drop-downselection 152, as shown in FIG. 3, the user can then press the “enter”key 214 on the handheld medication dosage calculator 100 shown on FIG.4.

When this selection is made, the program will either go to either theseventh process step <20>if the patient is an adult or to the eighthprocess step <22>if the patient is a child, as shown in FIG. 1A.

The proper range for either adult or pediatric dosages will appear asoutput 110, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.; Preferably, when the patienttype is a child, i.e., pediatric, the calculations will appear threeplaces past the decimal point, which can be utilized in dosagecalculations.

The ninth step in the process <24>, as shown in FIG. 1A, is to input thedesired dosage for the selected drug. As shown in FIG. 2, there is anoutput for the amount of drug ordered, e.g., “amount ordered” label 112,that is adjacent to a drug amount ordered input 114 that preferably ishighlighted and includes a flashing cursor, as shown in FIG. 2. Bypressing the numeric keys on the handheld medication dosage calculator100, which keys are generally indicated at 216 on FIG. 4, the user caninput the desired amount of drugs to be dispensed. Adjacent to the drugamount ordered input 114 is a unit expression factor drop-down entryinput 154 that is preferably highlighted and includes a flashing cursor,as shown in FIG. 2, where a drop-down unit expression factor selection155 appears as shown in FIG. 3. The user can scroll between the possibleunits of measurement in the unit expression factor selection 155, shownin FIG. 3, by utilizing either the left scroll arrow key 208 or theright scroll arrow key 210 on the handheld medication dosage calculator100, as shown in FIG. 4. When the desired unit of measurement is locatedon the drop-down unit expression factor selection 155, as shown in FIG.3, the user can then press the “enter” key 214 on the handheldmedication dosage calculator, as shown on FIG. 4.

The tenth step in the process <26>, as shown in FIG. 1B, is to determineif the drug dosage exceeds the recommend range. If the quantity inputtedthough the drug amount ordered input 114 exceeds that for the selectedpatient type, i.e. adult or child, then a warning is issued as theeleventh process step <28>. This is done by comparing the inputtedquantity data from the keypad 201 with range information from thedatabase memory 252 in the computing mechanism 250 for the handheldmedication dosage calculator 100, as shown in FIG. 5. This step couldoccur later in the process if the warning is dependent on patient weightand/or frequency of drug administration.

This issued warning appears on an output screen 173, as shown in FIG. 2.If a warning is issued, then the twelfth process step <30>allows theuser to clear the drug amount entry and returns the user to the ninthprocess step <24>, which allows the user to re-enter the desired drugdosage. However, you may perform the calculation without inputting adesired drug and still calculate a drug dosage and bypass the system ofwarnings and outputted information that is available with a selecteddrug.

The thirteenth step in the process <32>, as shown in FIG. 1B, is todetermine if the drug dosage should be analyzed based on either the bodyweight of the patient or the body surface area of the patient. There is,an output for either the body weight of the patient or the body surfacearea of the patient, e.g., per body wt./area label 132, that is adjacentto an body wt./area drop-down elective input 134 that is preferablyhighlighted and includes a flashing cursor, as shown in FIG. 2, where adrop-down body wt./area selection 156 appears as shown in FIG. 3. Theuser can scroll between the two possible selections, i.e., yes or no, inthe body wt./area drop-down selection 156, shown in FIG. 3, by utilizingeither the left scroll arrow key 208 or the right scroll arrow key 210for the handheld medication dosage calculator 100, as shown in FIG. 4.

The fourteenth step in the process <33>, as shown in FIG. 1B, is todetermine if the drug dosage will be based on the patient's weight orthe body surface area of the patient. There is a body weight/area dataentry input 136, which is adjacent to the body wt./area drop-downselection input 134. By pressing the numeric keys 216 on the handheldmedication dosage calculator 100, which are generally indicated on FIG.4, the user can input the weight of the patient or the body surface areaof the patient. Adjacent to the body weight/area data entry input 136 isa weight/body area drop-down selector 142 that allows the user to inputthe weight of the patient in kilograms 140 or the body surface area ofthe patient in square meters 141. The user can scroll between the twopossible selections, i.e., the weight of the patient in kilograms 140 orthe body surface area of the patient in square meters 141 shown in FIG.3, by utilizing either the left scroll arrow key 208 or the right scrollarrow key 210 on the handheld medication dosage calculator 100, as shownin FIG. 4.

If the dosage of the drug is based on body weight, then the numericalinput in the body weight/area data entry input 136 is entered when theuser presses the “enter” key 214 after previously selecting “yes” fromthe drop-down body wt./area selection 156 on the handheld medicationdosage calculator 100 as shown on FIGS. 3 and 4, which is the fifteenthstep in the process <34>, as shown in FIG. 1B.

The weight of the patient can be either in pounds (lbs.) or kilograms(kgs.), and appears in output 142 with converted amounts appearingadjacent to the selected weight expression unit. This process involvingconversion is the sixteenth step in the process <36>, as shown in FIG.1B.

If the body surface area of the patient in square meters 141 isselected, an output for the height of the patient, e.g., height ofpatient label 220, along with an input for the height of the patient,e.g., patient height input 224, appears as well as an output for theweight of the patient, e.g., patient weight label 222, along with apatient weight input 226, as shown in FIG. 3, through data inputprovided by the numeric keys 216 on the handheld medication dosagecalculator 100, which are generally indicated in FIG. 4, which is theseventeenth process step <38>shown in FIG. 1B. This data is utilized bythe computing mechanism 250 with information from the database memory252 to arrive at the body area in square meters (m²) that is displayedin output 142.

The eighteenth step in the process <39>, as shown in FIG. 1C, is toenter the frequency for applying the drug dosage. There is an output forthe frequency of providing the drug to the patient, e.g., “per”frequency label 144, that is adjacent to a frequency data input 146 thatis preferably highlighted and includes a flashing cursor, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. This frequency is inputted through a data input providedby the numeric keys 216, which are generally indicated in FIG. 4.Adjacent to the frequency data input 146 is the frequency expressionfactor drop-down elective input 148. The user can scroll among a numberof possible frequency selections 160 including hour, minute, day and soforth, shown in FIG. 3, by utilizing either the left scroll arrow key208 or the right scroll arrow key 210 on the handheld medication dosagecalculator 100, as shown in FIG. 4. The computing mechanism 250 convertsthe data from the keypad 201 if inputted in either days or minutes intoan hourly rate, as shown in FIG. 5.

When the desired unit of frequency interval is selected throughinputting the frequency data input 146 and the unit-expression factorselection 154, as shown in FIG.3, the user can then press the “enter”key 214 as shown on FIG. 4.

The nineteenth step in the process <40>, as shown in FIG. 1C, is for theuser to enter the amount of the selected drug that is available instandard packaging for the patient. There is an output to indicate theamount of the drug that is available in standard packaging, e.g.,“amount available” label 162, that is adjacent to a drug amountavailable input 164 that is preferably highlighted and includes aflashing cursor, as shown in FIG. 2. By pressing the numeric keys 216 onthe handheld medication dosage calculator 100, which are generallyindicated on FIG. 4, the user can input the desired amount of drugs thatare available. Adjacent to the drug amount available input 164 is a unitexpression factor drop-down entry input 166 that is preferablyhighlighted and includes a flashing cursor, as shown in FIG. 2 where adrop-down unit expression factor selection 168 appears as shown in FIG.3. The user can scroll between the possible units of measurement in theunit expression factor selection 168, shown in FIG. 3, by utilizingeither the left scroll arrow key 208 or the right scroll arrow key 210on the handheld medication dosage calculator 100, as shown in FIG. 4.When the desired unit of measurement is located on the drop-down unitexpression factor selection 168, as shown in FIG. 3, the user can thenpress the “enter” key 214 as shown on FIG. 4. Conversions to theappropriate unit of measurement will be automatically performed by thecomputing mechanism 250, as shown in FIG. 5.

In addition, the twentieth step in the process <41>, as shown in FIG.1C, is to covert the amount available from the drug amount availableinput 164 into an equivalent number that is in a desired unit ofmeasurement. There is an output for an equivalent amount of the drug ina preferred unit of measurement, e.g., “equivalent to” label 180, thatis adjacent to a converted drug amount output 182. Conversions to thedesired unit of measurement will be automatically performed by thecomputing mechanism 250 and displayed on the display screen 204 for thehandheld medication dosage calculator 100, as shown in FIG. 5. Ifincompatible unit expression factors are entered, the handheldmedication dosage calculator 100 will not perform the calculation untilthe error is fixed.

The twenty-first step in the process <42>, as shown in FIG. 1C, is toenter the volume of the selected drug that is available for the patientfor the amount of drug that is available. There is an output forindicating the volume associated with the amount of available drug instandard packaging, e.g., “per available volume” label 170 that isadjacent to a volume of the available drug input 172 that is preferablyhighlighted and includes a flashing cursor, as shown in FIG. 2. Bypressing the numeric keys 216 on the handheld medication dosagecalculator 100, which are generally indicated on FIG. 4, the user caninput the available volume for the amount of the selected drug that isavailable. Adjacent to the volume of the available drug input 172 is aunit expression factor drop-down entry input 174 that is preferablyhighlighted and includes a flashing cursor, as shown in FIG. 2 where adrop-down unit expression factor selection 176 appears as shown in FIG.3. The user can scroll between the possible units of measurement in theunit expression factor selection 176, shown in FIG. 3, by utilizingeither the left scroll arrow key 208 or the right scroll arrow key 210on the handheld medication dosage calculator 100, as shown in FIG. 4.When the desired unit of measurement is located on the drop-down unitexpression factor selection 176, as shown in FIG. 3, the user can thenpress the “enter” key 214 on the handheld medication dosage calculator100 as shown on FIG. 4. Conversions to the appropriate unit ofmeasurement will be automatically performed by the computing mechanism250, as shown in FIG. 5.

The twenty-second step in the process <44>, as shown in FIG. 1C, is tocompute the dosage of the drug to be administered. This includesmultiplying the amount of the drugs that are ordered from the drugamount ordered input 114 times the body weight or the body surface areafrom the body weight/area data entry input 136. This product is thendivided by the amount of drugs that are available from the drug amountavailable input 164. This result is then multiplied by the volume of thedrug from the amount available that can be administered to the patientfrom the volume of the available drug input 172. This result is thedosage of the drug to be delivered to the patient. Preferably, thisoutput should be calculated in less than two seconds.

The twenty-third step in the process <46>, as shown in FIG. 1C, is tooutput the dosage of the drug to be administered computed in theprevious process step <44>. There is an output to indicate the drug doseto be delivered to the patient, e.g., “dose to be delivered” label 184that is adjacent to a delivered drug dosage output 186.

In addition, the twenty-fourth step in the process <47>, as shown inFIG. 1C, is to convert the drug dosage from the drug amount availableinput 164 into an equivalent number in a desired unit of measurement fordrug administration frequency. This is only triggered when the frequencyselection 160 of the drug dosage is determined on a “per minute”, a “perhour” or a “per day” basis and not when the “per dose” input isselected. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is an output for this for thedrug dosage in the preferred unit of measurement, e.g., “equivalent to”label 188 that is adjacent to a converted drug dosage to be delivered ina preferred measurement unit 190. Conversions to the desired unit ofmeasurement for the handheld medication dosage calculator 100 will beautomatically performed by the computing mechanism 250 and displayed onthe display screen 204, as shown in FIG. 5.

The user then administers the appropriate amount of drugs to the patientand the software program is then completed <48>as the twenty-fifthprocess step.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is a calculator pushbutton key 218, whichallows the handheld medication dosage calculator 200 to function as astandard calculator as well as a menu pushbutton key 220 that allows theuser to access other functions of the handheld medication dosagecalculator 200.

Preferably, there is some type of device to update the database memory252 as shown in FIG. 5. For example, a communication port 254 could beconnected to the computing mechanism 250 for updating the databasememory 252. An example of how this can be accomplished is described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,266,539, which issued to Pardo on Jul. 24, 2001, whichis incorporated herein by reference. This is a docking arrangement thatconnects the computing mechanism 250 to the Internet via a telephonecommunication line.

Another mechanism can include a PCMCIA card for receiving a chip cardsuch as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,069,795, which issued to Klattet al. on May 30, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference. Thechip card could have a static read only memory (ROM) that includes thedatabase memory 252.

Infrared sensors can also be utilized to update the database memory 252.An example of this type of technology can be found in U.S. Pat. No.6,025,942, which issued to Scifres on Feb. 15, 2000, which isincorporated herein by reference.

These are just some of the illustrative, but nonlimiting, examples ofthe many types of technology that can achieve this function of updatingthe database memory 252.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a hidden special functions password entryscreen 90 is displayed in the display screen 204. The special functionsscreen 90 provides the user with a single box to enter a password. Thepassword may be between one and ten characters in length. The charactersbeing entered by the user is not displayed, rather a ‘#’ symbol isdisplayed instead for each character entered. When the password isentered and the ENTER key is pressed, the password is compared to thespecial functions password and the special function master password. Ifeither matches, the password screen is closed and the special functionsscreen 90 menu is displayed. If there is no match, a message indicatingpassword incorrect is displayed and the password entry box is cleared sothat the user can try again. Initially, there is no limit to the numberof failed attempts, but this feature is easily added by one skilled inthe art. A single CLEAR key press clears all characters currentlyentered in the password entry box. Selection of the MENU key at anypoint shall close the password screen and return to the Menu Optionsscreen.

A special functions menu options screen 91 has five options forselection as follows: a total drug usage option 92; a timed drug usageoption 93; a download warning log option 94; a change passwords option95; and a reset usage counters option 96. The left and right arrows keysenable the user to scroll up and down the options list, and the currentcursor position shall be highlighted with a dark background and whitetext. Pressing the ENTER key will select the currently highlightedoption and display the appropriate screen. Selection of the MENU key atany point will close the special functions Menu Options screen 91 andreturn the user to the main menu options screen.

The total drug usage option 92 screen displays the current values forthe following counters: 1) total usage; 2) total number of decimalentries in the digital display screen 204; 3) individual drug usage; 4)total number of outside of range warning occurrences; 5) total number ofoutside of range warning occurrences that were overridden by the user;6) total number of outside of range warning occurrences that werecorrected by the user; 7) total number of no range check warningoccurrences; 8) total number of no range check warning occurrences thatwere overridden by the user; 9) total number of no range check warningoccurrences that were corrected by the user; 10) total number ofconversion error occurrences; and 11) total number of conversion erroroccurrences that were corrected by the user.

Individual drug usage totals are selectable by selecting the drug from alist of available drugs. To select a drug, the user starts typing in thedrug name in the drug selection 70 box. Upon entry of the first letterof the drug, the display screen 204 displays a list of all availabledrugs and will automatically jump to and highlight the first drug listedwhich starts with the letter entered. As the user enters more letters,the display screen 204 will automatically highlight the closest match.When the user presses the ENTER key, the currently highlighted drug inthe list will be selected, and the drug list will close. However, afterthe entry of one or more letters into the drug selection 70 box butbefore the ENTER key is pressed, the user is able to move into the druglist by pressing the left or right arrow keys. When this occurs, theleft and right arrow keys shall then move the cursor highlight up anddown through the drug list respectively. At any point, pressing theENTER key shall select the currently highlighted drug as the activedrug, and close the drug list. The available drug list is displayed inalphabetical order.

When a drug has been selected, its total usage value is read from thedrug database file and displayed adjacent to the selected drug name.Selection of the MENU key at any point will close the total drug usagescreen 92 and return the user to the special functions menu screen 90.

The timed drug usage screen 93 will display the current values for thefollowing shift counters: 1) number of outside of range warningoccurrences in the shift period; 2) number of outside of range warningoccurrences that were overridden by the user in the shift period; 3)number of outside of range warning occurrences that were corrected bythe user in the shift period; 4) number of no range check warningoccurrences in the shift period; 5) number of no range check warningoccurrences that were overridden by the user in the shift period; 6)number of no range check warning occurrences that were corrected by theuser in the shift period; 7) number of conversion error occurrences inthe shift period; and 8) number of conversion error occurrences thatwere corrected by the user in the shift period.

A timed drug usage screen 97 displays the Shift Time Period, and thedate/time that the current shift is due to end, and a option to view thecounts for the current shift or each of the previous 3 shifts. The useris able to set the Shift Time Period to between one and twenty-fourhours in one hour increments by typing in the value required and thenpressing the ENTER key to set this value entered. When the Shift TimePeriod is changed, a confirmation required message will be displayedinforming the user that changing the Shift Time Period will cause allprevious shift data to be lost. The message shall provide the user witha yes/no option to continue and change the time period or to cancel theoperation. If yes is selected (confirm change to time period), all shiftcounters shall be reset and the new current shift shall commence fromthe current time. If no is selected, the message shall be closed and theuser returned to the timed drug usage screen 97 with no action taken.From the Shift Time Period entry box, the left or right arrow key whenpressed will activate a selection list to display shift period counters.When the list is active, the left and right arrow keys shall then movethe cursor up/down the list items. Pressing the ENTER key selects theshift period counters to display. At any point, if the ‘+’ key ispressed a sub-screen shall be displayed listing the last four entries inthe warning/event log. When the warning/event log display sub-screen isactive, the user is able to close it and return to the timed drug usagescreen 93 by pressing the ENTER or CLEAR key. Selection of the MENU keyat any point will close the timed drug usage screen 97 and return theuser to the special functions menu screen 90.

The selection of the download warning/event log option will cause thehandheld calculator 100 to copy the warning/event log to a text file ona PCMCIA card. When the file copy has finished, a download completemessage is displayed informing the user. If the handheld calculator 100is unable to copy the log to a PCMCIA (i.e. no card inserted), a messageis displayed informing the user. Once again, the updating of thedatabase can be updated by other means as explained above. When the useracknowledges whichever message is displayed, the message is closed andthe user returned to the special functions menu screen 90.

The change passwords screen 95 provides the user with the options ofchanging the special function menu 90 entry password and the resetcounters confirmation password. The left and right arrow keys willtoggle between the two new password entry boxes. The ENTER key shallindicate the completion of the entry of a new password if the passwordentry box contains one to ten characters. When a valid new password hasbeen entered, the user is prompted with a sub-screen to enter thecurrent password as confirmation that they wish to change to the newpassword. When a confirmation password has been entered (followed byENTER), the handheld calculator 100 checks the confirmation passwordagainst the stored current password and if they match replaces thestored password when the new password entered. If the confirmationpassword does not match the stored current password, the display screen204 will display an incorrect password message and clear the entry boxready for the user to try again. Initially, there is no limit to thenumber of failed attempts the user is allowed to make. At any point,selection of the MENU key cancels the action and-return the user to thespecial functions menu 10 screen 90.

Upon selection of the reset counters option 96, the handheld calculator100 prompts the user to enter a reset counters confirmation password.When a confirmation password has been entered (following by ENTER key),the handheld calculator 100 checks the confirmation password enteredagainst the stored current password and if they match all total andtimed counters are set to zero. Once this is complete, a message isdisplayed indicating that all counters have been successfully reset.When the user acknowledges this message (ENTER key), the message isclosed, and the user returned to the special functions menu screen 90.If the confirmation password does not match the current stored resetcounters password, the display screen 204 displays an incorrect passwordmessage and clears the entry box ready for the user to try again.Initially, there is no limit to the number of failed attempts the useris allowed to make. At any point, selection of the MENU key cancels theaction and returns the user to the special functions menu screen 90.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the display screen 204 of the handheldcalculator 100 displays various functions. The display screen 204 has adefault screen on start-up. The display screen 204 has the followingfunctional options: drug selection 70;

adult or pediatric selection 71; ordered type entry 72; overall orderedtype selection 74 of either mcg, mg, gm, units or mEq, with mg asdefault; body weight/area—yes or no selection 73; body weight/area valueentry 75 (but only when yes selected for 73); body weight/area typeselection 76 of either lb, kg, gm or m², with lb as default (but onlywhen yes selected 73); dose/time quantity 77 with default value of 1;dose/time type selection 78 of either per dose, min, hour or day, withdose as default; amount available quantity 79; amount available typeselection 80 of either mcg, mg, gm, units or mEq, with mg as default;available volume quantity 81; and available volume type selection 82 ofeither liter, cc, tab or gtt, with cc as default. When all of therequired parameters have been entered by the user, the application willperform a dose calculation. The required parameters are ordered typeentry 72, overall ordered type selection 74 of either mcg, mg, gm, unitsor mEq, with mg as default, body weight/area value entry 75 (but onlywhen yes selected for 73); body weight/area type selection 76 of eitherlb, kg, gm or m², with lb as default (but only when yes selected 73);dose/time quantity 77 with default value of 1; amount available quantity79; amount available type selection 80 of either mcg, mg, gm, units ormEq, with mg as default; available volume quantity 81; and availablevolume type selection 82 of either liter, cc, tab or gtt, with cc asdefault. The data parameters can be entered in any order. For the dosecalculation, the handheld calculator 100 uses the followingpharmaceutical formula for calculating the dose to deliver based on thedata parameters entered by the user:Dose=(Total Amount Ordered/Amount Available) * Volume

-   -   where the Total Amount Ordered can be equal to either:    -   a) Amount Ordered    -   b) Amount Ordered*Body Weight (in kg)    -   c) Amount Ordered*(Body Weight (in kg)/Time)

The dose calculation is to be ‘circular,’ meaning that once all requiredparameters have been entered, the changing of any one parameter willcause a re-calculation of the dose to deliver and the displaying of anynew warning message if appropriate. A drug does not have to be selectedin order to perform a dose calculation. During dose calculation, if theoverall ordered type selected 74 does not match the amount availabletype selected 80, the handheld calculator 100 displays a conversionerror message and the ordered type entry 72 box becomes the activecontrol. (Note: any combination of mcg, mg and gm is considered amatch). The drug database file contains up to three dose ranges for eachdrug, each range with a different ordered type (e.g. 1–4 mg/dose, 20–50mcg/kg/dose and 5–7 mcg/kg/min). During dose calculation, the overallordered type 74 is first matched against the database range types. If nomatch of the overall ordered type 74 against the database range type canbe found, the handheld calculator 100 displays a range check warningmessage indicating the problem. The message also provides the user witha yes/no option of continuing with no range checking or changing theordered type 74.

If yes is selected (to continue with no range checking), the calculateddose is displayed and the warning LED's set to a flashing mode toindicate that the ordered amount has not been checked against therecommended ranges. If no is selected, the calculated dose is discardedand the ordered type entry 72 box becomes the active control.

When the ordered type 72 matches one of the database range types, thetotal ordered amount is checked against the range values. If the totalordered amount is either higher or lower than the range values, thedisplay screen 204 displays a dosage warning message. The messageprovides the user with a yes/no option of continuing with the currenttotal amount ordered or changing the amount ordered. If yes is selected(to continue with current amount ordered), the calculated dose isdisplayed and the warning LED's set to a flashing mode to indicate thetotal amount ordered is outside the recommended drug range. If no isselected, the calculated dose shall be discarded and the ordered entry72 box becomes the active control. There are two exceptions to this whenperforming the ordered type/database range type matching. The firstexception occurs if the user has entered a body weight/area value 75,but the database range type does not have /kg but otherwise they match(e.g. ordered mg/kg/dose but database has mg/dose). In this case, a flagis set and if no match is then subsequently found the handheldcalculator 100 calculates the total amount ordered (by multiplying theamount ordered by the body weight in kg) and then performs a range checkas though the ordered type was in mg/dose. The second exception occursif the ordered type does not have a body weight/area value 75 but thedatabase range type does but otherwise they match (e.g. ordered mg/dosebut database has mg/kg/dose). In this case, another flag is set and ifno match is subsequently found, a warning message is displayed informingthe user that no range checking could be performed but could be if theuser entered the patients estimated body weight. The message alsoprovides the user with a yes/no option of continuing without rangechecking or to enter the patients estimated body weight. If yes isselected (to continue without range checking), the calculated dose isdisplayed and the warning LED's set to flashing to indicate that theordered amount has not been check against recommended ranges. If no isselected, the calculated dose is discarded and the body weight/areayes/no option 73 is automatically set to yes and the body weight/areavalue entry 75 box then becomes the active control.

The total amount ordered (Amount Ordered*Body Weight in kg) is displayedwhen the user has selected a body weight/area value in the calculation.If the ordered quantity is over a time period (i.e. min, hour or day),then when the dose is successfully calculated the handheld calculator100 is also calculated expanded rates to include: i/cc/min; ii/cc/hour;iii/dose/min; iv/dose/hour; v/dose/kg/min; and vi/dose/kg/min. Ifthe-user has entered no body weight, the last two rates shall show ‘NA’.

The expanded rates are displayed on a separate sub-screen, which appearwhen the user presses the ‘*’ key. Once the sub-screen is active, the‘ENTER’ key clears it. When expanded rates are available and there isroom on the display screen 204, a message is displayed indicating thatto view the expanded rates the user must press the ‘*’ key. Only theENTER key submits a new parameter for validation. If the value enteredis valid, the handheld calculator 100 either calculates the dose todeliver (only if all other required parameters have been entered) ormoves to the next parameter entry/type selection. Dose calculations onlyoccur after a new quantity value and its associated type have beenentered. The left and right arrow keys are used to scroll quickly aroundthe display screen 204 without causing any data entry or dosere-calculations to occur. The current cursor position (active control)is indicated by a dark background with white text. When scrolling withthe left and right arrow keys, the adult/pediatric and yes/no lists arenot displayed. Type selection lists are displayed when their associatedentry box is scrolled upon but the lists themselves are not part of thescroll order. Using the drug selection 70; adult or pediatric selection71; ordered type entry 72; ordered type selection 74 of either mcg, mg,gm, units or mEq, with mg as default; body weight/area—yes or noselection 73; body weight/area value entry 75 (but only when yesselected for 73); body weight/area type selection 76 of either lb, kg,gm or m², with lb as default (but only when yes selected 73); dose/timequantity 77 with default value of 1; dose/time type selection 78 ofeither per dose, min, hour or day, with dose as default; amountavailable quantity 79; amount available type selection 80 of either mcg,mg, gm, units or mEq, with mg as default; available volume quantity 81;and available volume type selection 82 of either liter, cc, tab or gtt,with cc as default items, the left and right arrow scroll order is thedrug selection 70; adult or pediatric selection 71; ordered type entry72, body weight/area—yes or no selection 73, body weight/area valueentry 75 (but only if option body weight/area—yes or no selection 73 isset to yes), dose/time quantity 77, amount available quantity 79 andavailable volume quantity 81. While scrolling adult/pediatric andyes/no, a selection is achieved by scrolling onto the current value andpressing the ENTER key. The list will then appear with the non-activevalue selected as default.

When a list selection is the active control, the left and right arrowkeys move the selection cursor up and down the list, respectively. Thelist will only be exited when the ENTER key is pressed, upon which thehighlighted list item is selected and becomes the active value. All listselection controls wrap-around from top to bottom and bottom to top.When a drug is selected, the data for that drug is read from the drugdatabase file and populates the drug information sub-screen which may bedisplayed at any time in the display screen 204 by the user pressing the‘+’ key. When a drug is selected, the first dose range for this drugfrom the database is displayed at the top of the display screen 204. Ifno dose range exists for the selected drug, a message indicates that nodose range is available for this drug. The drug information sub-screenwhen active is only cleared by the pressing of the ENTER or CLEAR keyonce. Upon returning to the display screen 204, the control that wasactive prior to the ‘+’ key being pressed regains active control. Theapplication stores the last used amount available and available volumevalues within the record for the currently selected drug in the drugdatabase file. If no drug is selected, these value will not be stored.When the user re-selects a drug that has saved amount available andavailable volume values, the application displays a message informingthe user of the stored value and offering the yes/no option of usingthese values or entering new values. If yes is selected (use storedvalues), the amount available quantity 79 entry box and available volumequantity 81 entry box is automatically populated with the stored value.However, this message will only appear when the user has just finishedselection of a dose/time type selection 78. When the user enters a bodyweight in lb or grams, the application converts the entered value intokg and displays this value adjacent to the entered value.

Once a dose has been calculated and a warning message issued, the samewarning message will only be displayed again if the amount ordered valueis changed or the dose calculated is different then previous. Uponre-entry to the display screen 204 (after the user has been in theCalculator or Menu screens), the active control is the same control thatwas active immediately prior to the display screen 204 being exited. Toselect a drug the user starts typing in the drug name in the drugselection 70 box. Upon entry of the first letter of the drug, thehandheld calculator 100 displays a list of all available drugs andautomatically jumps to and highlights the first drug listed which startswith the letter entered. As the user enters more letters, the handheldcalculator 100 will automatically highlight the closest match. When theuser presses the ENTER key, the currently highlighted drug in the listis selected and becomes the active drug, the drug list closes and theadult/pediatric list becomes the next active control. At this point, theinformation for this drug reads from the database file and formattedready for display and the ‘*’ key option becomes active. After the entryof one or more letters into the drug selection 70 box but before theENTER key is pressed, the user is able to move into the drug list bypressing the left or right arrow keys. When this occurs, the left andright arrow keys then move the cursor highlight up and down through thedrug list, respectively. At any point, pressing the ENTER key selectsthe currently highlighted drug as the active drug, closes the drug listand the adult/pediatric list becomes the next active control. At thispoint, the information for this drug reads from the database file andformatted ready for display and the ‘*’ key option becomes active. Theavailable drug list is displayed in alphabetical order. Decimal valuesare valid for all quantity parameters except the dose/time parameter,which are an integer value. All dose calculations with the pediatricselection are displayed-to three decimal places. All dose calculationswith the adult selection are displayed to two decimal places. A singleCLEAR key press clears any value entered in the currently active controlif the control is one of the entry boxes. If the CLEAR key is pressedtwice with the second key press within approximately one second of thefirst key press, all entered values are cleared and the screen revertsto its default state. Selection of the MENU key at any point displaysthe Menu Options screen. Selection of the MATH CALC key at any pointdisplays the basic calculator screen.

The following is a summary of the main functions to be performed by thehandheld calculator 100. The handheld calculator 100's display screen204 allows the user to select a drug and enter various data parameters.Once all required data has been entered, it performs the necessarycalculations to generate a dose to deliver value. While calculating thedose, the quantity of the selected drug ordered is checked against therecommended range limits for the particular drug selected from the drugdatabase file. Appropriate warning messages are displayed depending onthe result of the calculation and range checking. Information on thedrug selected can also be viewed. The Conversions Screen allows theusers to perform some basic conversions for mcg to/from mg, lb to/fromkg and ml to/from liters. A surface area (m²) formula is also provided.The Drip Rate Calculator allows the user to perform Drip Rate andInfusion Rate calculations. The Database Update allows the user toupdate the drug database file on the unit via the unit's PCMCIA slot. Itis important to note that that Database Update can be accomplished byother means (e.g., Internet, Infrared, etc.) as explained above. TheBasic Calculator provides a basic math calculator so the user canperform basic multiplication, division, addition and subtractionfunctions. The Warning/Event Log logs all warning events and othersystem events. The Usage & Warning Counters allow the user to view atotal count of all warning messages issued and whether the warning wascorrected or overridden. It also provides the user with the counts forthe same warnings but over a set period of time (shift). The currentshift and the three previous shifts can be viewed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is advantageously applicable in providing ahandheld medication dosage calculator 100, which significantly improvesthe safety and efficacy of dispensing medicine by reducing the user'sreliance on memory. Moreover, this handheld medication dosage calculator100 simplifies the user algorithm and provides constraints and forcingfunctions that significantly reduce the reliance on vigilance andmultiple data entry. This is also a more intuitive approach tocalculating drug dosages by providing a user algorithm that is locatedon the display screen 204. Furthermore, the drug information data storedin the database memory 252 is linked to the input data to elicitpredetermined warnings and cautions when the input deviates from knowndosage range information. This is in addition to providing an output forthe recommend dosage of drugs.

This results in a device that significantly reduces the chance ofmedication error as well as reduces the amount of time needed todispense drugs to patients by a medical professional.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specificsteps or apparatus shown and described, but departures may be madetherefrom without deviating from the principles of the invention andwithout sacrificing its chief advantages. Other aspects, objects andadvantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of thedrawings and the disclosure.

1. A portable medical calculator for automatically calculating amedication dose and comparing an inputted, ordered medication dosagewith a known medication dosage range in a database, comprising: adisplay screen for prompting and receiving certain inputs, receivingentered data, receiving answers to medical questions, displaying variousselections for selection, displaying various units of measure,displaying calculations and displaying warning messages; memoryoperatively connected to the display screen for receiving and comparingthe inputted, ordered medication dosage with the known medication dosagerange; a computing mechanism operatively connected to the memory and thedisplay screen, the computing mechanism; responsive to the inputs, data,answers, selections and unit of measures at the display screen to causethe memory to provide the medication dose; responsive to the inputted,ordered medication dosage to cause the memory to compare the inputted,ordered medication dosage with the known medication dosage range;responsive to the comparison to cause the memory to provide the warningmessages to the display screen when the inputted, ordered medicationdosage is outside the known medication dosage range; and responsive tothe warning messages to cause the memory to request additional data viathe display screen to correct the inputted, ordered medication dosage orcontinue without correction of the inputted, ordered medication dosagewhen the warning messages are activated.
 2. The portable medicalcalculator for automatically calculating a medication dose and comparingan inputted, ordered medication dosage with a known medication dosagerange in a database according to claim 1, wherein the display screendisplays a number of times the inputted, ordered medication dosage isoutside the known medication dosage range for a certain predeterminedperiod of time.
 3. The portable medical calculator for automaticallycalculating a medication dose and comparing an inputted, orderedmedication dosage with a known medication dosage range in a databaseaccording to claim 2, wherein the display screen displays a number oftimes the inputted, ordered medication dosage is corrected when thewarning messages are activated to within the known medication dosagerange for the predetermined period of time.
 4. The portable medicalcalculator for automatically calculating a medication dose and comparingan inputted, ordered medication dosage with a known medication dosagerange in a database according to claim 2, wherein the display screendisplays a number of times the inputted, ordered medication dosage isused when the warning messages are activated without correction of theinputted, ordered medication dosage to within the known medicationdosage range for the predetermined period of time.
 5. A portablemedication dose calculator for comparing an inputted, ordered medicationdosage with a known medication dosage range in a database, comprising:an input device for inputting a desired medication name, inputting anindication as to whether the medication is for a child or an adult,inputting an amount of the medication that is ordered, inputting thebody weight or body surface area of the patient; inputting an amount ofmedication that is available, and inputting the available volumeassociated with the amount of the available medication; a computingmechanism for automatically determining the appropriate dose of themedication that is to be administered to the patient and converting thedetermined dose that is to be administered to the patient and availabledosage into desired units of measure; and a display for displaying theappropriate dose of the medication, displaying cautionary warnings ifthe selected medication amount exceeds a recommended range of themedication provided in the medication database, displaying product namesand classifications for each selected medication, and displayingcautionary product information associated with each selected medication.6. The portable medication dose calculator for comparing an inputted,ordered medication dosage with a known medication dosage range in adatabase according to claim 5, wherein the computing mechanism convertsthe final medication dose into a preferred unit of measure.
 7. Theportable medication dose calculator for comparing an inputted, orderedmedication dosage with a known medication dosage range in a databaseaccording to claim 5, further including means for updating the database.8. The portable medication dose calculator for comparing an inputted,ordered medication dosage with a known medication dosage range in adatabase according to claim 5, further including a communications systemfor updating the database from an Internet via a telephone communicationline.
 9. The portable medication dose calculator for comparing aninputted, ordered medication dosage with a known medication dosage rangein a database according to claim 5, further including a PCMCIA card anda chip card having a static read only memory (ROM) for updating thedatabase, wherein the PCMCIA card receives the chip card with an updateddatabase.
 10. The portable medication dose calculator for comparing aninputted, ordered medication dosage with a known medication dosage rangein a database according to claim 5, further including infrared sensorsfor updating the database.
 11. A medication dose calculator or computerfor comparing an inputted, ordered medication dosage with a knownmedication dosage range in a database, comprising: a display screen fordisplaying a plurality of drop down screens, data input fields, outputdisplay fields, warning display fields and caution display fields;memory operatively connected to the display screen, the memorycontaining the database having the known medication dosage range, thedrop down screens, the data input fields, the output fields, the warningdisplay fields and the caution display fields; means for viewing andnavigating through a plurality of medications listed by name from amedication name drop down menu on the display screen; means forselecting a specific medication by name from the drop down menu on thedisplay; a computing mechanism operatively connected to the memory andthe means for selecting the specific medication responsive to theselection of the specific medication; means for displaying a name of thespecific medication from the memory on the display screen; means fordisplaying a classification of the specific medication from the memoryon the display screen; means for displaying cautionary informationassociated with the specific medication from the memory on the displayscreen; an adult/pediatric drop down menu on the display screen forselecting an adult or pediatric patient status; the computing mechanismoperatively connected to the memory and the adult/pediatric drop downmenu and responsive to the adult or pediatric patient status selectionfor displaying the medication dose at a medication dose output field onthe display screen; means for inputting a ordered medication dosage forthe selected medication in a ordered medication dosage field on thedisplay screen; a unit of measure drop down menu on the display screenadjacent the ordered medication dosage field for selecting a orderedunit of measure of the ordered medication dosage; the processor forcomparing the inputted, ordered medication dosage with a recommendedrange of medication dosages for the selected medication and patientstatus, the processor sending a warning to the display screen if theinputted, ordered medication dosage is outside the recommended range; abody weight/body surface area drop down menu for designating if a bodyweight or body surface calculation is applicable to the selectedmedication and activating a body weight/body surface input displayfield; means for inputting a body weight or body surface area value ifthe body weight/body surface input display field is activated; bodyweight/body surface area unit of measure drop down menu on the displayscreen adjacent the body weight/body surface area input display fieldfor selecting a desired weight unit of measure; means for inputting apatient's body weight and height in a body weight input field and a bodyheight input field, respectively; the computing mechanism operativelyconnected to the memory and the body weight/body surface area inputdisplay field and the body weight/body surface unit of measure drop downmenu and responsive to the inputted and selected data on the displayscreen for calculating the patient's body surface area; a medicationdosage frequency drop down menu for selecting a frequency period foradministering the selected medication; means for inputting a number in amedication dosage frequency input field, the number indicative of thefrequency the selected medication will be administered during thefrequency period; means for inputting an amount of the medicationavailable in a medication availability input field on the displayscreen; a medication availability unit of measure drop down menu on thedisplay screen adjacent the medication availability input field forselecting an availability unit of measure of the selected medication;the computing mechanism operatively connected to the memory, themedication availability input field and the medication availability unitof measure drop down menu for converting the unit of measure of themedication amount available to the unit of measure used for the orderedmedication dosage and displaying the medication availability number inconverted unit of measure in an equivalent output field on the displayscreen; means for inputting a volume of the selected medicationavailable for the amount of the medication that is available in a volumeavailability input field; a volume unit of measure drop down menu on thedisplay screen adjacent the volume availability input field forselecting a volume unit of measure; and the computing mechanismoperatively connected to the memory, the display screen, the medicationdosage range output field, the body weight input field or body surfacearea input field, the equivalent output field and the volumeavailability input field for automatically calculating and displaying onthe display screen the final medication dose to be administered to thepatient.
 12. The medication dose calculator for comparing an inputted,ordered medication dosage with a known medication dosage range in adatabase according to claim 11, wherein the computing mechanism convertsthe final medication dose into a preferred unit of measure.
 13. Themedication dose calculator for comparing an inputted, ordered medicationdosage with a known medication dosage range in a database according toclaim 11, further including means for updating the database.
 14. Themedication dose calculator for comparing an inputted, ordered medicationdosage with a known medication dosage range in a database according toclaim 11, further including a communications system for updating thedatabase from an Internet via a telephone communication line.
 15. Themedication dose calculator for comparing an inputted, ordered medicationdosage with a known medication dosage range in a database according toclaim 11, further including a PCMCIA card and a chip card having astatic read only memory (ROM) for updating the database, wherein thePCMCIA card receives the chip card with an updated database.
 16. Themedication dose calculator for comparing an inputted, ordered medicationdosage with a known medication dosage range in a database according toclaim 11, further including infrared sensors for updating the database.17. A method for comparing an inputted, ordered medication dosage with aknown medication dosage range in a database, comprising the steps of:displaying a plurality of drop down screens, data input fields, outputdisplay fields, warning display fields and caution display fields on adisplay screen; operatively connecting memory to the display screen, thememory containing the database having the known medication dosage range,the drop down screens, the data input fields, the output fields, thewarning display fields and the caution display fields; viewing andnavigating through a plurality of medications listed by name from amedication name drop down menu on the display screen; selecting aspecific medication by name from the drop down menu on the display;displaying a trademark name of the specific medication from the memoryon the display screen; displaying a generic name of the specificmedication from the memory on the display screen; displaying aclassification of the specific medication from the memory on the displayscreen; displaying cautionary information associated with the specificmedication from the memory on the display screen; selecting an adult orpediatric patient status on an adult/pediatric drop down menu;automatically computing and displaying the medication dose at amedication dose output field on the display screen; inputting an orderedmedication dosage for the selected medication in an ordered medicationdosage field on the display screen; selecting an ordered unit of measureof the ordered medication dosage on a unit of measure drop down menu onthe display screen adjacent the ordered medication dosage field;comparing the inputted ordered medication dosage with a recommendedrange of medication dosages for the selected medication and patientstatus; sending a warning to the display screen if the inputted orderedmedication dosage is outside the recommended range; designating if abody weight or body surface area calculation is applicable to theselected medication via a body weight/body surface area drop down menuand activating a body weight/body surface input display field; inputtinga body weight or body surface area value if the body weight/body surfaceinput display field is activated; selecting an ordered weight unit ofmeasure via a body weight/body surface area unit of measure drop downmenu on the display screen adjacent the body weight/body surface areainput display field; inputting a patient's body weight and height in abody weight input field and a body height input field, respectively;computing and calculating the patient's body surface area; selecting afrequency period for administering the selected medication; inputting anumber in a medication dosage frequency input field, the numberindicative of the frequency the selected medication will be administeredduring the frequency period; inputting an amount of the medicationavailable in an availability medication input field on the displayscreen; selecting an availability unit of measure of the selectedmedication via a medication availability unit of measure drop down menuon the display screen adjacent the medication availability input field;computing and converting the unit of measure of the medication amountavailable to the unit of measure used for the ordered medication dosageand displaying the medication availability number in a converted unit ofmeasure in an equivalent output field on the display screen; inputting avolume of the selected medication available for the patient for theamount of the medication that is available in a volume availabilityinput field; selecting a volume unit of measure; and automaticallycomputing, calculating and displaying on the display screen a finalmedication dose to be administered to the patient.
 18. The method forcomparing an inputted, ordered medication dosage with a known medicationdosage range in a database according to claim 17, further comprising thesteps of computing and converting the final medication dose into apreferred unit of measure.
 19. The method for comparing an inputted,ordered medication dosage with a known medication dosage range in adatabase according to claim 17, further comprising the step of updatingthe database.
 20. A portable device for automatically calculating amedication dose and comparing an inputted, ordered medication dosagewith a known medication dosage range, comprising: a display screen fordisplaying a plurality of preconfigured prompts and medical information;an input mechanism operatively associated with said display screen, andfor selecting choices among the preconfigured prompts, and inputtingmedical data; a memory operatively connected to the input mechanism anddisplay screen, the memory containing said plurality of preconfiguredprompts and storing the known medication dosage range; and a processorconnected to the display screen, the memory, and the input mechanism,for comparing the inputted, ordered medication dosage with the knownmedication dosage range; for sending a warning message to the displayscreen when the inputted, ordered medication dosage is outside the knownmedication dosage range; and for permitting continuation with or withoutcorrection of the inputted, ordered medication dosage when the warningmessage is activated.
 21. A portable device as set forth in claim 20,wherein the warning message is displayed without disabling the displayscreen.
 22. A portable device for automatically calculating a drug dosein a clinical setting, the drug dose being defined as a calculatedvolume required to deliver an ordered dosage from a larger volumeavailable in specified concentration and the dosage being definded as anamount of medicine by a) quantity of measure, b) quantity of measure perweight, c) quantity of measure per time or d) quantity of measure perweight and time, including: a computer having a memory; means forentering data into the computer upon which the drug dose is calculated;the computer having means for automatically calculating the calculatedvolume required to deliver an ordered dosage from a larger volumeavailable in specified concentration in response to the entered data; adisplay screen for displaying the calculated dose volume; and the devicebeing capable of calculating doses from all four types of saidquantities of measure a) through d).
 23. The portable device forautomatically calculating a drug dose in a clinical setting, as setforth in claim 22, wherein the display screen for displaying thecalculated volume does not display the mathematical formula therefor.24. The portable device for automatically calculating a drug dose in aclinical setting, as set forth in claim 23, wherein the computer checksthe dosage ordered against a dosage database.